Web attachment system protocol

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for detachably securing an accessory component to a garment or the like has a meshed fabric forming an integral part of said garment. The meshed fabric has an array of first openings. A base plate has a plurality of second openings. The base plate is adapted to be positioned on one side of the meshed fabric with the second openings aligned with mating first openings. The apparatus has means for securing said base plate to the accessory component. A locking plate has a plurality of studs. The locking plate is adapted to be positioned on an opposite side of the meshed fabric with the studs projecting through the mating first openings into the second openings and into interlocked engagement with the base plate.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the attachment of objects to garments, harnesses, and the like, and, more particularly, to a fastening system that securely mounts removable pockets, pouches, or the like, to a mesh fabric.

BACKGROUND

Many types of load bearing garments or backpacks may employ some type of attachment system for accessories so that a user may locate any of a variety of such accessories (e.g., pockets, pouches, and holders) where they will be most convenient. Permanently attached pockets are suboptimal because they require extensive repair or replacement of the garment when they wear out. Pockets that are permanently attached cannot be repositioned for the comfort and accessibility of the individual user, nor swapped for more appropriate alternative accessories given the current use.

Well known attachment systems include keepers with slides, hook and loop fasteners, snap fasteners (both hard and soft), buttons, and interlocking straps. Generally, the problems associated with these systems are the labor and expense, weight, heat stress on the user, unreliability, bulk, lack of comfort, and creation of unstable loads due to sloppiness in the fitting.

Keepers and sliders tend to be uncomfortable to the user, or require padding, which adds to a user's heat stress. Their mechanism have a tendency to become fouled, and are costly to repair when damaged.

Hook and loop fasteners (of both plastic and metal) are noisy and become unreliable when exposed to adverse environmental conditions, such as water, grit, mud, snow, or ice.

Snap fasteners are unreliable, easily damaged, and require support to engage. These fasteners require both sides of the snap to be affixed to heavy textile substrates and do not provide enough retention for high load situations.

Some other attachment methods employ one or more plastic parts, which are adhered directly to the garment or the pocket, and interface with another part on the opposing surface. These plastic parts are sewn directly onto a textile surface, but this requires that a relatively low strength plastic be used and that it be thinned to allow penetration by a sewing needle. Furthermore, piercing the plastic in this manner damages it precisely at the point of greatest load, typically resulting in tear-outs during heavy use.

Modular pockets are frequently avoided due to the cost and lack of stability caused by sloppiness in the attachment. Methods which can better approximate the stability of permanent attachment, such as the interlocking straps described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,707, may be expensive, bulky, and cause heat stress due to their thickness and heavier textile substrates required on a garment for their mounting. An interlocking strap system confines the location and angle at which modular pockets can be attached to a garment, based on the width and placement of the straps on the garment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The effective modular attachments of the present invention allow a user to customize the number, style, and location of the attachments on worn or carried items. The ability to mount accessories at various angles enhances the utility of the accessories and the garment. Further advantages are derived from a system that uses a mesh textile and standard materials as the substrate for accessory attachment. The ability to use mesh as a structural element in a garment or item has advantages in weight and the reduction of heat stress in warm weather environments. To be useful in performance applications, such as load bearing garments, backpacks, sportsman's gear, or luggage, an attachment system must have substantial retention of what is attached.

A primary object of the present invention is to create a secure, reliable, robust, and easy to use attachment system that is low profile (i.e., flat against the garment or item). Additionally, when used with a mesh substrate, the present invention allows accessories to be mounted in a variety of positions and at numerous angles.

In accordance with a general aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for detachably securing an accessory component to a garment or the like has a meshed fabric forming an integral part of the garment. The meshed fabric has an array of first openings. A base plate has a plurality of second openings. The base plate is adapted to be positioned on one side of the meshed fabric with the second openings aligned with mating first openings. The apparatus has means for securing the base plate to the accessory component. A locking plate has a plurality of studs. The locking plate is adapted to be positioned on an opposite side of the meshed fabric with the studs projecting through the mating first openings into the second openings and into interlocked engagement with the base plate.

In other aspects of the present invention, the accessory component is comprised at least partially of a fabric to which the base plate is secured by stitching. The second openings are spaced along a longitudinal axis of the base plate, and the base plate is additionally provided with third openings spaced along paths parallel to and on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis, the third openings being arranged to accept a threaded needle of a sewing machine employed to stitch the base plate to the fabric. The base plate is additionally provided with guide surfaces for guiding the sewing machine along the paths. The second openings have undercut elongated slots communicating with apertures that are relatively large in comparison to the width of the slots. The studs have heads that are connected to the base plate by stems. The heads are wider than the slots and are configured and dimensioned to enter the apertures in a first direction. The stems have widths that are narrower than the heads and dimensioned to enter the slots in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to position the heads beneath the slots and to establish the interlocked engagement. The studs have heads joined to the base plate by stems, the stems being located between gaps in the base plate. The heads have shoulders overlaying the gaps. A top surface of the base plate is provided with grooves extending between the third openings. The stitching is recessed beneath said top surface in the grooves. The base plate has a top surface with a raised longitudinally extending central area, and wherein the second openings are spaced along the central area. The locking plate is adapted to be in interlocked engagement with the base plate and is adapted to slide into locking engagement with said base plate. The means for securing the base plate to the accessory component includes openings formed in the base plate to accommodate riveting of the base plate to an accessory component comprised at least partially of a fabric.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a vest having several accessories removably attached thereto;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a locking plate;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a base plate;

FIG. 4 is a partial cutaway view of an accessory attached to a base plate and a mesh fabric disposed between the base plate and a locking plate;

FIG. 5 is an exploded section view of a base plate attached to an accessory, a mesh fabric, and a locking plate;

FIG. 6 is a first section view of an assembled base plate, mesh fabric, and locking plate;

FIG. 7 is a second section view of an assembled base plate, mesh fabric, and locking plate;

FIG. 8 is a section view of a mesh fabric locked between a base plate and a locking plate; and

FIG. 9 is a section view of a base plate attached to an accessory by stitches.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, vest 1 is shown having a variety of accessories attached to it, including a pocket 2, pouch 3, ammunition pocket 4, and pistol holster 5. The accessories are located on and removably attached to the vest using an example of a base plate and locking plate described in more detail below. One or more base plates are attached to an accessory. For each base plate, a locking plate is used to interlock with the base plate and to trap meshed fabric 6 of the vest 1 between the base plate and the locking plate. A user may select the location and orientation of any of the accessories where they will be most convenient to him.

In one example, vest 1 includes panels of a wide aperture mesh fabric 6 having an array of relatively large openings, such as about 0.125 inches. An example of this type of fabric is the combat mesh, available from Crossfire Australia Pty Ltd., of Braidwood, NSW, Australia.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 5, and 7, locking plate 10 is shown having a planar base 12 with ends 14 and 16, a top surface 18, and a bottom surface 20. Ledges 22 and 24 are disposed on bottom surface 20 toward ends 14 and 16 respectively. In one example, a user may push on ledges 22 and 24 with a lever or a tool, such as a flat-head screwdriver, to interlock locking plate 10 with a base plate, as described in more detail below. Base 12 may be molded from any known plastic material, e.g., ABS or polycarbonate, and provided with a length of about 2.5 inches, a width of about 0.6 inches and a thickness of about 0.1 inches.

Studs 26 protrude from top face 18 of base 12 and are disposed longitudinally along centerline 28 of base 12. The studs 26 have heads 30 having a rectangular shape and about equal width and length. Heads 30 are connected to base 12 by stems 32 having a narrower width than heads 30. In one example, stems 32 are about half the width of heads 30. In another example, heads 30 have a width of about 0.25 inches, a length of about 0.25 inches, and a thickness of about 0.062 inches. Stems 32 have a width of about 0.125 inches, for example. Studs 26 may protrude about 0.2 inches from top surface 18, for example.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 5, and 7, base plate 40 has a top surface 42 and a bottom surface 44 and a longitudinal axis 45. Openings 46 extend through base plate 40 and are arranged along longitudinal axis 45. Each opening 46 is sized to accommodate a head 30 of locking plate 12. Elongated slots 48 extend through base plate 40 and each slot 48 is in communication with an opening 46. Slots 48 are wide enough to accommodate stems 32 and narrow enough to prevent heads 30 from passing into or through them. Channels 50 extend into bottom into 44 of base plate 40. Each channel 50 is aligned with and in communication with a slot, 48 and is sized in depth and width to accommodate head 30 such that head 30 is flush with or recessed from bottom surface 44 while locking plate 10 is interlocked with base plate 40.

Fastening holes 52 extend through base plate 40 and are arranged along edges 54 and 56. Holes 52 are used to attach base plate 40 to a modular pocket, such as by sewing, for example. Holes 52 are sized to accommodate a sewing machine needle and are uniformly spaced so a sewing machine can be adjusted to the correct number of stitches per inch to correspond with spacing between holes 52. In one example, holes 52 are elongated transversely to the direction in which base plate 40 is sewn so that several different types of sewing machines may be used. In another example, grooves 58 may extend between individual holes 52, between holes 52 and edges 54 or 56, and between holes 52 and ends 60 or 62. Grooves 58 aid in locating stitches during the sewing installation of a base plate 40 to a modular pocket. Grooves 58 also protect stitches from abrasion damage by recessing the stitches below top surface 42. One advantage of holes 52 is the ability to use stronger materials to make base plate 40 as a sewing needle does not have to punch through base plate 40 to form each stitch. In one example, holes 52 are also disposed along ends 60 and 62 of base plate 40.

In one example, top surface 42 includes an elevated center portion 64 forming guide ledges 66 along axis 45 and guide ledges 68 transverse to axis 45. Guide ledges 66 and 68 guide a sewing machine foot during sewing attachment of base plate 40 so that stitches are properly located relative to holes 52.

In another example, rivet holes 70 extend through base plate 40 and are arranged along axis 45 to allow attachment of base plate 40 by commonly known riveting methods. Rivet head recesses 72 extend from top surface 42 into base plate 40 and are sized to permit rivet heads to be installed flush with or below top surface 42.

Referring to FIGS. 4-8, an example of using locking plate 10 and base plate 40 to mount an accessory 80 to mesh fabric 82 is shown. Locking plate 10 is positioned beneath mesh fabric 80 and aligned so that studs 26 approximately align with mesh openings 84. Base plate 40 is attached to accessory 80 by stitches 86 and is positioned with top surface 42 facing mesh fabric 82. Studs 26 are inserted through openings 84 and into openings 46 of base plate 40 until heads 30 are at the same level as channels 50. This traps fabric 82 between locking plate 10 and base plate 40. Base plate 40 is then slid in direction 88 to lock mesh 82 between locking plate 10 and base plate 40. In some examples, mesh fabric 84 is part of a garment or a bag. In other examples, mesh fabric 80 is tautly installed over a solid surface, such as a ballistic plate or a rucksack.

Referring to FIG. 9, base plate 40 is sewn to accessory 90 by stitches 92. As discussed above, thread 94 lays in grooves 58 between openings 52, which locate thread 94 and protect it from abrasive wear. A sewing machine foot 96 is disposed against guide ledge 68 to locate additional stitches in openings 52. In another example, sewing machine foot 96 could be disposed against guide ledge 66 to stitch base plate 40 to place stitches 92.

The foregoing description has been limited to a specific embodiment of the invention. It will be apparent, however, that variations and modifications can be made to the invention, with the attainment of some or all of the advantages of the invention. Therefore, it is the object of the appended claims to cover all such variations and modifications as come within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. Apparatus for detachably securing an accessory component to a garment or the like, said apparatus comprising: a meshed fabric forming an integral part of said garment, said meshed fabric having an array of first openings; a base plate having a plurality of second openings, said base plate being adapted to be positioned on one side of said meshed fabric with said second openings aligned with mating first openings; means for securing said base plate to said accessory component, and a locking plate having a plurality of studs, said locking plate being adapted to be positioned on an opposite side of said meshed fabric with said studs projecting through said mating first openings into said second openings and into interlocked engagement with said base plate.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said accessory component is comprised at least partially of a fabric to which said base plate is secured by stitching.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said second openings are spaced along a longitudinal axis of said base plate, and wherein said base plate is additionally provided with third openings spaced along paths parallel to and on opposite sides of said longitudinal axis, said third openings being arranged to accept a threaded needle of a sewing machine employed to stitch said base plate to said fabric.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said base plate is additionally provided with guide surfaces for guiding said sewing machine along said paths.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second openings comprise undercut elongated slots communicating with apertures that are relatively large in comparison to the width of said slots, and wherein said studs have heads that are connected to said base plate by stems, said heads being wider than said slots and being configured and dimensioned to enter said apertures in a first direction, and said stems having widths that are narrower than said heads and dimensioned to enter said slots in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction to position said heads beneath said slots and to establish said interlocked engagement.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said studs comprise heads joined to said base plate by stems, said stems being located between gaps in said base plate.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said heads have shoulders overlaying said gaps.
 8. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein a top surface of said base plate is provided with grooves extending between said third openings, and wherein said stitching is recessed beneath said top surface in said grooves.
 9. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said base plate has a top surface with a raised longitudinally extending central area, and wherein said second openings are spaced along said central area.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said locking plate being adapted to be in interlocked engagement with said base plate further comprising being adapted to slide into locking engagement with said base plate.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein means for securing said base plate to said accessory component comprises openings formed in said base plate to accommodate riveting of the base plate to an accessory component comprised at least partially of a fabric.
 12. Apparatus for detachably securing an accessory component to a garment or the like, said apparatus comprising: a meshed fabric forming an integral part of said garment, said meshed fabric having an array of first openings; a base plate having a plurality of second openings spaced along a longitudinal axis of said base plate, said base plate being adapted to be positioned on one side of said meshed fabric with said second openings aligned with mating first openings, said base plate is additionally provided with third openings spaced along paths parallel to and on opposite sides of said longitudinal axis, said third openings being arranged to accept a threaded needle of a sewing machine employed to stitch said base plate to said fabric; means for securing said base plate to said accessory component, wherein said accessory component is comprised at least partially of a fabric to which said base plate is secured by stitching, and a locking plate having a plurality of studs, said locking plate being adapted to be positioned on an opposite side of said meshed fabric with said studs projecting through said mating first openings into said second openings and slid into interlocked engagement with said base plate.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said base plate is additionally provided with guide surfaces for guiding said sewing machine along said paths.
 14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said second openings comprise undercut elongated slots communicating with apertures that are relatively large in comparison to the width of said slots, and wherein said studs have heads that are connected to said base plate by stems, said heads being wider than said slots and being configured and dimensioned to enter said apertures in a first direction, and said stems having widths that are narrower than said heads and dimensioned to enter said slots in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction to position said heads beneath said slots and to establish said interlocked engagement.
 15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said studs comprise heads joined to said base plate by stems, said stems being located between gaps in said base plate.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said heads have shoulders overlaying said gaps.
 17. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein a top surface of said base plate is provided with grooves extending between said third openings, and wherein said stitching is recessed beneath said top surface in said grooves.
 18. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said base plate has a top surface with a raised longitudinally extending central area, and wherein said second openings are spaced along said central area.
 19. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein means for securing said base plate to said accessory component comprises openings formed in said base plate to accommodate riveting of the base plate to an accessory component comprised at least partially of a fabric.
 20. Apparatus for detachably securing an accessory component to a garment or the like, said apparatus comprising: a meshed fabric forming an integral part of said garment, said meshed fabric having an array of first openings; a base plate having a plurality of second openings spaced along a longitudinal axis of said base plate and comprising undercut elongated slots communicating with apertures that are relatively large in comparison to the width of said slots, a top surface with a raised longitudinally extending central area, and wherein said second openings are spaced along said central area, a plurality third openings spaced along paths parallel to and on opposite sides of said longitudinal axis, said third openings being arranged to accept a threaded needle of a sewing machine employed to stitch said base plate to said fabric, and guide surfaces for guiding said sewing machine along said paths, said base plate being adapted to be positioned on one side of said meshed fabric with said second openings aligned with mating first openings; means for securing said base plate to said accessory component, wherein said accessory component is comprised at least partially of a fabric to which said base plate is secured by stitching, and a locking plate adapted to be positioned on an opposite side of said meshed fabric, said locking plate having a plurality of studs having heads that are connected to said base plate by stems, said heads being wider than said slots and being configured and dimensioned to project through said mating first openings and to enter said apertures in a first direction, and said stems having widths that are narrower than said heads and dimensioned to enter said slots in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction to position said heads beneath said slots and to slide into interlocked engagement with said base plate. 